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● InformationalElections / Campaigns

Trump endorses Paxton in Texas Republican primary

Paxton received Trump’s endorsement as he faces John Cornyn in the Texas Republican Senate runoff.

Trump endorses Paxton in Texas Republican primary
Image · The Boston Globe

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Outlet credibilityThe Boston Globe83/100 HIGH
This article1 analysis · Oct 6, 2026
tl;dr

Donald Trump endorsed Ken Paxton in the Texas Republican Senate runoff against John Cornyn, prompting Cornyn to emphasize his record of supporting Trump and criticize Paxton’s general-election prospects. The candidates advanced from the March primary and are set to face each other in a May 26 runoff.

Community verdict

VOTING CLOSED
How does this story look for
Ken Paxton R · TX
NOT RATEDCLOSED

No good or bad look here

This story reports what happened without casting Paxton in a good or bad light, so readers don’t rate it and it doesn’t count toward Paxton’s record.

● INFORMATIONAL

People in this story

SWIPE →
Ken Paxton
R · TX

Texas Republican Senate candidate endorsed by Trump in the runoff

PRIMARY SUBJECT
John Cornyn
R · TX · SEN

Texas senator and Paxton’s opponent in the Republican runoff

Cornyn's version of this story ↗
Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President who endorsed Paxton in the Texas Republican runoff

Trump's version of this story ↗

Democratic Texas Senate candidate who would face the Republican nominee

Thomas Massie
R · KY-4

Kentucky representative facing a Trump-endorsed challenger

Bill Cassidy
R · LA · SEN

Louisiana senator whose primary defeat is cited as a recent Trump-endorsed-primary result

Julia Letlow
R · LA-5

Louisiana representative who finished first in the Republican Senate primary

Tim Scott
R · SC · SEN

South Carolina senator who supported Cornyn and warned about the general-election stakes

Republican challenger to Thomas Massie backed by Trump

Louisiana state treasurer competing with Julia Letlow in the Senate Republican runoff

Part of a bigger story

93 OUTLETS
Trump Endorses Ken Paxton in Texas Republican Senate Runoff

Outlets agree President Donald Trump endorsed Ken Paxton over incumbent John Cornyn in the Texas Republican Senate runoff. Left-leaning outlets portray the endorsement as a setback for Cornyn and Republicans, stressing Paxton’s baggage and the possibility of helping Democrats. Center outlets focus on Republican concerns about the seat and Senate majority, and on what the endorsement signals about Trump’s influence and the party’s direction. Right-leaning outlets center Trump’s backing for Paxton, with some presenting it as a major boost and others noting its potential electoral consequences.

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